Experts have issued a warning to people using public Wi-Fi (Image: Getty) Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Scots have been warned over using public WiFi with experts stressing the dangers involved with connecting to them. Many of us will connect to public WiFi if we're, for example, taking the train en route to work. But when we're scrolling on our commute, we can make purchases - but this could cost you more money than just the item you're buying. In one of their warnings called 'session hijacking' they explain if a cybercriminal gains access to your device while you’re browsing online, they can copy your data. Once they do this, they’ll hijack your browsing session and masquerade as you. This means they can steal your money, personal details, or identity. Read More Related Articles TikToker shows 'delicious' 40 second fried egg
Hack using microwave Read More Related Articles Hairdresser says you'll look '10 years younger' if you stop three simple habits The experts warn there are many "hidden dangers of public WIFI" we should know and whilst it can be a "huge relief to discover free Wi-Fi at the airport, train station, coffee shop, or hotel, it’s important to realise these connections aren’t always as secure as you might think." Vincent Iachetta Jr., president of Peppermonkey Media , discusses why you should think twice before connecting to public Wi-Fi. Here is what you need to know What are the dangers of using public Wi-Fi? You could have your data stolen (Image: We Are/Getty) Man-In-The-Middle Attacks Man-in-the-middle attacks are where hackers break into the public network and view your data as it passes from your connected device to the Wi-Fi router. Vincent says, ‘If you’re doing online banking at the time, hackers can see your passwords and account information. They can steal your credit card number, email address, and other personal details.’ Evil Twin Attacks When you’re looking for a public Wi-Fi hotspot, you may discover a lookalike to the correct one. It might be named something like, ‘Free University Wi-Fi1’ or ‘Station Wi-Fi234’. But by using this clone instead of the correct network, you’re connecting right to the scammers, meaning you could expose your private data. Join the Daily Record
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BREAKING news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Malware-Infected Networks According to Vincent, ‘If hackers infect a network, they can send software bugs to any device connected to it. If you suddenly see a pop-up, don’t click on it because it could contain an infected link.’ How can you stay safe? Vincent’s most simple advice is to try, where possible, to use your mobile network. he explains: "Use your mobile data rather than risking public Wi-Fi. The inconvenience of using up your data is nothing to what you’ll face if your personal details are stolen by scammers." Vincent has some top tips for beating scammers on public networks: Always use A VPN (Virtual Private Network) when using public Wi-Fi. It’ll encrypt all your data so it can’t be viewed by hackers. Use a Password Manager so cybercriminals can’t view your password. Vincent says, ‘You should also never conduct sensitive activities such as online banking when using free Wi-Fi. If you really have to look at your banking info, do it via an app using 4G.’ Top Trending Stories Today
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